Eight laterals, mixed in with two fumbles, by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the final play of the game was a fun way to watch last Sunday’s 30-27 Buffalo Bills victory come to an end at New Era Field.

But it came with a price for Buffalo.

Lost in the mayhem was starting free safety Jordan Poyer, one of their impact players in the team’s remodeled secondary, who suffered a knee injury. That came on top of losing starting cornerback E.J. Gaines earlier in the game to a hamstring injury.

Both Poyer and Gaines are listed as day-to-day by coach Sean McDermott, which is better than week-to-week. But neither player practiced Wednesday and backups are getting prepared to face the Oakland Raiders and one of the NFL’s best passing attacks led by quarterback Derek Carr.

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Buffalo's coach says safety Jordan Poyer will be day-to-day, and he said backup players take pride in being ready to go if needed.
Sal Maiorana

“I feel good especially after that kind of injury,’’ said Poyer, who said he felt his knee pop. “Right now it’s kind of day-to-day but each day it’s gotten better, better than I expected it to be so far.’’

But he also cautioned reporters to paint an overly optimistic picture, adding “we’ll see.’’

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With eight seconds to play, Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston threw a short pass to Adam Humphries, who then touched off a desperate series of laterals to prolong the game in hopes of springing a teammate free. The game ended with Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus tackling receiver DeSean Jackson.

The 191-pound Poyer described trying to tackle 338-pound offensive lineman Donovan Smith in the chaos after Smith picked up a fumble and was running.

“I tried to make the tackle and he pitched the ball at the last second, stumbling and he fell right into my knee,’’ said Poyer, a free agent from Cleveland who has 33 tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defended and two sacks.

Poyer would be replaced by rookie free agent Trae Elston, who was cut and re-signed by the Bills this season.

To improve their depth at cornerback on Wednesday, the Bills claimed cornerback Lafayette Pitts, who had been waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Tuesday. Buffalo released second-year pro Tony McRae just a day after claiming him off waivers from the Baltimore Ravens.

Despite falling to 26th in total passing yards allowed, the playmaking of Buffalo’s all-new secondary has been a key to the club’s 4-2 start.

Poyer, Gaines, strong safety Micah Hyde and rookie corner Tre'Davious White have combined for 105 tackles and eight interceptions. It was White’s strip fumble and recovery that set up the winning field goal last Sunday and Hyde is tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions.

Carr is coming off his best game of the season. He threw for 417 yards and three TDs, two to Amari Cooper, who had 11 catches for 210 yards, in the Raiders’ wild 31-30 win over Kansas City last Thursday.